Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Which species seem to be the most tolerant to low temps? I was looking at a temperate species that would require little to no heat and could spend the majority of the year outdoors in NJ.

Some have recommended the Euro torts like Greeks, Hermanns, etc. I'm still leaning towards the Aldabras (lol) but any other candidates? I see some tort species (like the Greek and maybe Russian) have different sub spp with different requirements. Please give as much info as possible.

Thanks, all!
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Anthony Chodan

www.gradeareptiles.com

Hey Anthony,
You would be right, the Mediterranean tortoises tolerate the coolest conditions although you would still have to check your own New Jersey weather to see how suitable, you'll find the weather paterns on the link below, Remember they still need plenty of warmth and sunshine.
www.pettortoise.co.uk/tortoise_climate.php

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Richard Butler
United Kingdom

www.pettortoise.co.uk

I would recommend Russians. They come from a more extreme environment than the other Testudo species.

I just looked at the average high/low temps for Newark.

It looks like you could keep Russian tortoises outdoors from approximately April to October. If you had some type of supplemental heating, then maybe March to November. With a greenhouse, maybe year round, although I've never tried that.

I live in Missouri, and have found that my Russians can tolerate overnight lows in the 40s and daytime highs of about 105. I don't try (or recommend) keeping them outside when it is cold (below 55) and raining unless they have a very dry place to hide out. Also, I don't recommend keeping them out in constantly low temperatures without supplemental heating. I leave them out overnight with temps in the 40s only if it will be sunny and at least 60-65 the next day.

Mine spend only 2-3 months indoors AND awake. It's 6-7 months outdoors, 2-3 months indoors and awake, and 2-3 months in hibernation.

See www.russiantortoise.net for details.

You arent gonna find any species that could stand outdoors yearround in Joisy. Ive had my sulcatas out in 45 degrees. Manouria emys emys (brown mt. tort) are also pretty cold tolerant.

"Which species seem to be the most tolerant to low temps? I was looking at a temperate species that would require little to no heat and could spend the majority of the year outdoors in NJ.

Some have recommended the Euro torts like Greeks, Hermanns, etc. I'm still leaning towards the Aldabras (lol) but any other candidates? I see some tort species (like the Greek and maybe Russian) have different sub spp with different requirements. Please give as much info as possible."

hey anthony,

i've kept a group (n=40 ) of russians outdoors in minnesota for over nine years. granted they were outdoors only from mid april to mid september, but they bred like rabbits (well, russian tortoises anyway).

hardy and cool tolerant. but as brad said, you have to watch cool, wet conditions -- not good. a small greenhouse can make all the difference in the world. check the RT website for moore details.

matt

Be careful if you have a Hermann in too cold of a temp. Mine both got respirtory infections when the temp got around 70 at night. Although they are both very young. But it is a real pain when they get sick. I have to keep my heat on 24/7. Good luck!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

Although on the other hand, I don't use any night heat on my tortoises (3 Hermann's, 2 Russians, and one marginated, ranging in age from 1.5 years down to 5 months), with no problems. Our house goes as low as 59 degrees at night. They are all up and basking within about 30 minutes of their lights coming on in the morning, and I maintain 95 degree basking spots for them during the day. The advice about no night heat came from two separate breeders, BTW.

HTH.
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Sohni

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni boetgeri)
0.2.0 Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni)
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Judging by the map that was provided above, it seems that the eastern hermann's is the tort with the most northerly range and therefore SHOULD be the most cold tolerant. Russians are always a possibility, but I dealt with a few wc's in the early 90's and always remember them as being lethargic and not interesting. Are cb's any different?
I also see that the eastern hermanns are quite hard to find!
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Anthony Chodan

www.gradeareptiles.com

A California Turtle & Tortoise Club article states that:

"The range of the Russian tortoise extends from southeastern Russia southward through eastern Iran, northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan. It inhabits dry, barren localities such as rocky deserts and hillsides and sandy or loamy steppes, often at elevations of 5,000 feet (1,500 m) or higher."

The range maps I've seen place them at the northeastern edge of the Caspian Sea then spreading south and east from there.

So if you could get some Russians from Kazakhastan, they would be the most cold-adapted!

I don't think there's a tortoise available that you can easily house outdoors year round in Jersey without supplying a greenhouse or a specially prepared outdoor hibernation area that is dry and has stable temps above about 40F or so.

As for health & behavior: I've had 7 adult russians over the last 7 years. One obtained at a Petsmart died within two weeks from unknown causes. The others have all been healthy with only one showing signs of easily eradicated parasites. I've had my best luck by adopting from my herp society. I've had 10 hatchlings over the last few years, and have found my russkies to be fairly friendly and active. I don't expect much interaction with my animals. I'm happy if they have a good quality of life and are healthy. My torts, when outdoors, spend the morning basking on rocks or dirt piles, then grazing for food, chasing each other around, then an afternoon nap, etc.

"Judging by the map that was provided above, it seems that the eastern hermann's is the tort with the most northerly range and therefore SHOULD be the most cold tolerant. Russians are always a possibility, but I dealt with a few wc's in the early 90's and always remember them as being lethargic and not interesting."

hey anthony,

i'm not sure what map you looked at, but russian torts are from significantly more northern latitudes.

any wild-caught russian tort is going to be loaded with nematodes and most often dehydrated. any that have been languishing in a petco 10 gallon and eating iceberg lettuce are not going to be winning any personality contests.

i've had my RTs since 1991 and they are extremely active. i'm rehabing a couple of females from a prison camp (did i say that out loud?), err pet store, and they are driving me nuts with their new-found health.

matt

CHECK OUT THE MAP @ http://www.pettortoise.co.uk/tortoise_climate.php

It shows both sub spp of hermanni to be at higher lats than the russian. I would be interested in trying some baby Russians for the classroom, but I don't see any available now. Are cb Russians as hard to find as T.h. hermanni?
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Anthony Chodan

www.gradeareptiles.com